Turkish students and families in the US have one of the best-served long-haul routes in the world, with frequent non-stops to Istanbul. This guide covers peak dates, baggage and navigating two very different airports.
Turkey at a glance
- Main gateways: Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW); also Ankara (ESB) and Izmir (ADB).
- Busiest fare periods: June to August, mid-December to early January, and around Eid holidays.
- Often better-value periods: November to February, outside the holiday week.
When to fly
Summer break and the December holidays are the busiest periods. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha follow the lunar calendar and move about eleven days earlier each year, so check them before you choose dates. Winter in Istanbul and Ankara is cold and wet, and summer is hot and dry.
Routings and baggage
Turkish Airlines has flown non-stop from many US gateways to Istanbul and often includes two checked bags of about 23 kg in economy on US routes, though this varies by fare. One-stop alternatives include Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich, Qatar Airways via Doha and British Airways via London.
Airports and getting around
Istanbul Airport is linked to the city by the M11 metro line, and official Havaist airport buses serve major districts. If you are flying onward to Izmir, Ankara or Antalya, check that the domestic leg leaves from the same airport as your arrival, because crossing between IST and SAW can take well over an hour in traffic.
How to pay less on flights to Turkey
- Avoid the peaks. Fares rise from June to August, from mid-December to early January, and around Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, whose dates move each year. November to February outside the holiday week is often better value.
- Start with the non-stops. Turkish Airlines has flown non-stop from many US cities to Istanbul and often includes two checked bags on US routes, though this varies by fare.
- Compare the alternatives. Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich, Qatar via Doha and British Airways via London are one-stop options.
- Keep the airports straight. A flight into Istanbul Airport with an onward leg from Sabiha Gökçen can cost you hours, so book the onward leg from the same airport.
For the general method, see how we find cheap flights. Send us your dates and a specialist compares the options for this route.
Before you go
Check passport validity and Turkey’s current entry rules through the official government portal for every traveler. A yellow fever certificate is needed only if you arrive from a risk country. Routine vaccines and hepatitis A are the usual advice. See the CDC page for Turkey.
Last reviewed: October 27, 2026. Airline routes, schedules, baggage rules and entry requirements change, so your specialist confirms the current options when they quote your trip.
Planning a trip? See our Turkey flights page, our student travel page, or send us your dates for a quote.
Questions, answered.
When are flights to Turkey most expensive?
Fares peak from June to August, from mid-December to early January, and around Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, whose dates move each year. November to February outside the holiday week is often better value.
Are there non-stop flights from the US to Istanbul?
Yes. Turkish Airlines has flown non-stop from many US cities to Istanbul Airport (IST). Confirm the current routes when you book.
Which Istanbul airport should I use?
International long-haul flights mostly use Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side. Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) is on the Asian side, so make sure any connecting flight leaves from the same airport.
